Three generations of women working in the United Arab Emirates' healthcare sector gathered aboard the Etihad Rail train to reflect on the evolution of career opportunities. They discussed the transition from a time when women were rarely seen in certain medical specialties to the current generation entering the industry with broader aspirations.
A group of 30 specialists, including doctors, nurses, clinicians, healthcare leaders, and administrative staff, traveled from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and back. This trip was part of a leadership development program for UAE women, organized by Burjeel Holdings in collaboration with Etihad Rail.
The group comprised experienced professionals who began their careers when career paths for UAE women were just forming; mid-level managers who are now helping to develop the sector; and young professionals preparing to take on more significant positions in the future.
For some senior participants, the discussions brought back memories of a completely different environment in healthcare. Dr. Aisha Almahri, CEO of the Al Ain region at Burjeel Holdings, noted: 'When we started our careers, it was rare to see Emirati women in many medical specialties. Today, it is inspiring to see the next generation moving forward confidently and ambitiously.'
Her comments reflected one of the key themes of this trip—how each generation utilized the progress made by the previous one. During the journey across the UAE, participants spoke about resilience, career development, leadership, and the changing role of UAE women in healthcare.
Young professionals stated that they are entering the industry thanks to the opportunities created by previous generations. Sarah Al Qatari, a nutritionist at Burjeel Medical City, emphasized that the achievements of her predecessors gave young women greater self-confidence. She said: 'Today we have the confidence to dream big because the women before us broke barriers and proved it was possible. Their legacy motivates us to keep raising the bar and making a significant contribution to the future of healthcare in the UAE.'
The discussions were not limited to doctors and nurses. Women working in administrative roles, operations, patient care, and other support functions also discussed how their work supports the functioning of healthcare systems.
Dr. Tahani Al Kadiri, Deputy Vice President of Burjeel Training Academy, reported that bringing together women from different generations and different parts of the healthcare system allowed them to see how much opportunities have changed. She noted: 'Healthcare is built by people with very different skills, but with one common goal.'
She added that the trip gathered Emirati doctors, nurses, clinicians, leaders, and colleagues from administrative functions whose careers span different generations. Their stories demonstrate how far opportunities for UAE women have advanced, and more importantly, how each generation helps create the next set of opportunities.
The trip on Etihad Rail added extra meaning to the discussions. While traveling between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, many conversations focused on how their personal professional lives developed parallel to the overall growth of the UAE. The train became an informal platform where senior professionals could directly interact with young women about career choices, leadership challenges, and how they overcame obstacles in the early stages of their careers.
Dr. Farida Al Ali, Assistant to the Deputy Minister for National Talent Expansion at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, joined the trip. She shared her experience in leadership and discussed resilience, career development, national contribution, and the growing role of UAE women in the workforce across the UAE. The program included leadership sessions, mentorship, networking, and conversations between women at different stages of their professional journeys. Organizers stated that by bringing several generations together, the trip aims to show not only how much has changed for UAE women but also how progress is passed down from one generation to the next.